Only the contemptible fear contempt.

It is no tragedy to do ungrateful people favors, but it is unbearable to be indebted to a scoundrel.

Our actions seem to have their lucky and unlucky stars, to which a great part of that blame and that commendation is due which is given to the actions themselves.

What we cut off from our other faults is very often but so much added to our pride.

Nothing ought in reason to mortify our self-satisfaction more that the considering that we condemn at one time what we highly approve and commend at another.

Praise is a more ingenious, concealed, and subtle kind of flattery, that satisfies both the giver and the receiver, though by verydifferent ways. The one accepts it as a reward due to his merit; the other gives it that he may be looked upon as a just and discerning person.

It is worth nothing to be young without being beautiful, nor to be beautiful without being young.